Great Egret with nesting material

[Diane Miller]

Another from the rookery. Canon 5D Mk III, 300mm f/2.8 IS + 1.4X III. HH. ISO 800, f/8, 1/2500. 60% of full frame. This was very low contrast light and it took some processing to bring out the detail in the whites. After optimization in LR, with special attention to the whites, I went to PS for a small dose of Detail Extractor, Nik Dfine for NR, and resorted to a probably third-order contrast mask to apply a Curves adjustment to the lightest areas, to darken them and increase contrast a little more.

C&C always appreciated and learned from.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I did not know wht to expect from the thumb with the angling pose, but I gotta say that is one darn elegant egret image! Superb IQ, love the subtle hint of clouds in the sky, and the bit of vegetation is a real nice bonus even of it does cover the face a bit. The wings look fantastic. Well done Diane.

[Marina Scarr]

The angle threw me off at first but after looking at this a couple of times, I have to say that I really like it. What Dan said!!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very nice details here Diane! A bit steep for my taste but effective at the same time. The branch in the beak makes this a special image.

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, guys! I could easily rotate it, but it was flying up. The tree is a lot taller than I am! I wish the legs were a little more separated, but they're often too awkwardly separated. Good compromises are hard to get.

The vegetation appears to be from somebody's garden -- maybe a citrus tree. This rookery is in the middle of an older neighborhood, with a fairly busy street and well-traveled sidewalks right under the trees.

[Binu John]

Excellent shot, Diane! I really like the pose, action and the exposure! Wonderful IQ!